Expert: Kenton Scott - 5/6/2007

Question
Hi, I was looking through some things in my grandmothers attick and came across her old saxophone. She offered to sell it to someone for $75. I said she was nuts. It's a cavalier elkhart IND USA. the numbers on the back are - 92 M A 8141 L. no year number as far as I see. all I know is she got it when she was about 14. so 1939 - 1940. but it could be older. It appears to be silver, or silver plate. In great shape. needs polish, and new mouthpiece. pads are great, still plays. original leather velvet interior case. I was wondering what year, if its silver or a plate. what a full restoration might cost as far as cleaning and having it polished by someone who knows what theyre doing. and a possible estimated value. that would be great. I'm not looking to sell just to fix up. I just found it today and I'm so excited about the find. If you would like I could send pictures.
Thanks a bunch,
Aaron

Answer
Saxes aren't me area, I want to say that up front.  Cavalier was a second line off of a second line from Conn.  i.e. Conn -> Pan American -> Cavalier.  That being said, every Cavalier I have been around were decent playing horns.  But it does affect their re-sale value.

The 92 is the model number and it an alto that was in production in 1937-8.   And, I suspect the L is low (or modern) pitch.

It would be silverplate.  As far as getting it fixed up, I think you probably count on $200-300, and be happy if it is less.